Education

The art students at USC Lancaster were delighted to show off their artwork Thursday during a public reception in the ground floor art gallery of Founders Hall.
One of Antonio Cherry’s paintings was a portrait of his daughter, Kylie.
Cherry, who left the military to spend more time with his daughter, said he chose to paint her because of the impact she has had on his life.

Buford Elementary Principal Andrea Ribelin was shocked last weekend when she was named outstanding administrator of the year by the S.C. Counseling Association.

“It’s very humbling, because what I do is my passion and my calling,” Ribelin said. “To be recognized for that is just a real shock. I would not be the leader I am without the phenomenal work of the staff at Buford Elementary School… and the support of our community is a huge plus.”

An Andrew Jackson High student beat out 270 competitors to take first place at a national welding competition last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla.
Matt Mungo, 17, won a $20,000 full-ride scholarship to Tulsa Welding School (TWS), which sponsored the contest.
“I went down there thinking I wouldn’t do too good,” said Mungo, who also received a Lincoln Electric welding machine and welding supplies. “I did my best, and then I won.”

Andrew Jackson High School students were riding high this week, with a number of outstanding accomplishments to celebrate, both in athletics and the arts.

The Lady Vols basketball team was playing late Friday in the SCHSL Class AA Upstate Championship. (See coverage in Sports.) And four of the school’s wrestling team members advanced to their state championships.

Buford High School student left a note Friday threatening to “shoot up the school tomorrow” and was identified later in the day, according to a Lancaster County School District press release.
“From the beginning, the threat did not seem credible, since tomorrow would be Saturday and no one would be there,” said schools safety director Bryan Vaughn.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Buford Elementary School students are exploring how they express love and connect with others through “love languages.”
They studied the five love languages – words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.
For 9-year-old Anthony Sanchez, it’s quality time, especially with his mother.

Lancaster County School District officials have laid out the process and timeline for hiring the next school superintendent, and they hope to pick the new person by mid-April.
Dr. Gene Moore announced last month that he will retire July 31.
“We need someone to come in and take it by the reins,” said board Chairman Bobby Parker. “Our school district is going to attract a number of applicants. We are looking at a good future.”

Superintendent Gene Moore hopped on a school bus Monday afternoon outside Indian Land Elementary, joining students as they wound up another day.
It’s a routine he has enjoyed over the years, two or three times a semester, and he doesn’t have many more rides left before he retires in July.
The students seldom know who he is at first.
“Are you the mayor,” one asked him Monday, standing in line before boarding.
“No,” he said, laughing.